In the coming years, when Anthony Barr morphs into a pass-rushing force for the Minnesota Vikings and the inevitable origin stories are written about how this freak linebacker came to be almost out of nowhere -- stories that are almost certain to border on the pseudo-mythical -- there will be an argument about how exactly Barr came to UCLA as a running back, almost quit football, and then, seemingly overnight, become one of the best linebackers in the nation.

As the story will go, Barr was unhappy after two quiet seasons in Westwood and always wondered about trying defense. Mora, according to several accounts, was the first to ask Barr if he'd give linebacker a try, clearly seeing that his athleticism and ungodly amount of burst was being wasted on offense. Barr, on a few occasions, has said it was his idea.

We'll never really know how that conversation went down. But we do know well it worked out for both sides: Barr, in just two seasons on defense, accumulated 23 sacks -- 7.5 fewer than the all-time UCLA record (held by Dave Ball) -- and 41 tackles for loss -- 4.5 fewer than Carnell Lake's career record. If he's not the best pass rusher ever to play at UCLA, he's at least in the conversation. And in May, he was a top-10 pick.

But now he's gone, leaving UCLA with mammoth-sized shoes to fill on the edge, and here's where it matters how you feel about who deserves credit for the creation of Anthony Barr, star linebacker and eater of Matt Barkley's soul.

If you're in the camp that Barr is a once-in-a-generation linebacker that was just laying dormant at running back, miscast by Rick Neuheisel and Co. (who deserve some credit for recruiting him, just sayin'), then serendipitously gambled on at linebacker by Mora and Co., maybe you're skeptical about UCLA's ability to continue to keep up a similar level of production from the linebacker position. Maybe you're downright worried this season that the Bruins won't have nearly the push up front that they did when Barr was striking fear into the hearts of many.

Barr certainly deserves credit for his incredible two-year stretch, but a few years from now, when we're looking back at his fantastically succesful switch to defense, my guess is it'll be more about the start of an era at linebacker than the outstanding two-season run of a former running back. And that credit goes firmly to Mora and linebackers-coach-turned-defensive-coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who have proven they know how to put their athletes in places to succeed.

The truth is UCLA has already found a better running-back-turned-linebacker than Barr in Myles Jack, who, shockingly, still has at least two years left in Westwood. He might never be the pass-rushing weapon that Barr was, but he might already have has the best cover skills of any linebacker in college football. He ranked 30th in the nation in pass breakups (11) a year ago as a freshman linebacker, and, mind you, he didn't start working seriously on his cover skills until the SUMMER BEFORE HIS FRESHMAN SEASON. After two days of working with linebackers during coverage drills last fall camp, he moved to defensive back drills, where he promptly dominated. Reminder, again: he's a linebacker. Jack, who has now turned his sights to establishing his pass rush, is destined to be a star.

And thus, Mora and Ulbrich are destined to -- rightfully -- reap the benefits of their own fantastic coaching at linebacker for years to come. The setup, while certainly lucky, has been executed perfectly. Not only were Barr and Jack utilized to maximize their specific talents and athleticism, but those specific skill sets allowed Ulbrich to specialize his linebacker positions, establish a versatile -- and exceedingly multiple -- defense, and subsequently, start recruiting young players with the idea that "You could be the next Anthony Barr/Myles Jack!", which has proven to be wildly successful thus far.

A bevy of four- and five-stars are beckoning now at linebacker, and soon, UCLA could have the depth to give The Next Anthony Barr or The Next Myles Jack a year or two to actually grow into their positions before throwing them into the fire. That strategy allows UCLA to recruit and mold athletes that they believe have the highest potential, but might not be able to dominate right away, a la Jack. That's how defenses stay relevant for decades, not just single seasons.

But in this particular season, with Ulbrich now running the whole defense and undoubtedly focusing on his linebackers being in position to succeed, the position should be one of UCLA's best, despite losing two of its best players in Barr and the ever-energetic Jordan Zumwalt.

Eric Kendricks is perpetually underrated -- a tackle-mongering inside backer who has the instincts and knowledge of the defense that Ulbrich requires from the position. If he can stay healthy, he'll easily eclipse 100 -- and probably 120 -- tackles. His leadership also can't be understated.

Kenny Orjioke is the most likely replacement for Barr, and he's another mega-athlete that, combined with third-down rusher Deon Hollins, could help ease the loss of Barr in the sack column. Isaako Savaiinaea is another cerebral inside linebacker that was solid last season over a small sample size.

All eyes, though, will be on Jack -- as they rightfully should be. He's the face of UCLA's defense, the first-ever Pac-12 freshman of the year on both sides of the ball, the Bruins' best recruiting tool, and he's only going to be better in Year Two.

And with more talent likely on the way in the next few years, the origin story of UCLA's soon-to-be dominant linebacking corps, which opened with Anthony Barr, is only just beginning.

Zach Whitley. The freshman spurned Alabama for a chance at joining UCLA's talented group of linebackers right away, and after early enrolling, it'd be a shock if Whitley didn't make an impact this season. Just one look at him should tell you that.

KEY DEPARTURES

Anthony Barr. Forty-one tackles for loss and 23 sacks in two seasons. Yeah, he'll be missed.

Jordan Zumwalt. Never quite got the respect he deserved in UCLA's linebacking corps, but he was a punisher up the middle, and the Bruins don't really have anyone like him at the position this season. His erratic play might not be missed, but the adrenaline he brought to the defense certainly will be.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Kenny Orjioke. Somebody has to fill in for Barr, and Orjioke will be given every opportunity to be that guy early on. He's got the athleticism and the first step, and if he can make the mental jump in his third season, he could be a surprise standout. A breakout year for Orjioke would be a huge coup for UCLA's defense.

THREE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. How much will Myles Jack's role change in Year 2?

There haven't been many answers on what to expect from Jack this season, other than that he won't get much -- if any -- time at running back until the season begins. That's probably best for his future at linebacker, and as I alluded to before, he could be in line for more blitz calls this season, given his work on pass rushing. He'll still be the rangy outside linebacker that drops into coverage on third down, but calling his number on early downs to get him into the backfield is a legitimate possibility

2. Who's the most likely option to be UCLA's top pass rusher?

Orjioke is the best bet; his skill set is more similar to Barr's than any other linebacker on the roster, and he'll get the most chances as the likely starter on the edge. But don't be surprised if UCLA shares the wealth when it comes to racking up sacks. Defensive end Owa Odigizuwa would be my dark horse candidate, after Ulbrich experimented with his athleticism on the edge during the spring.

Depth. While there is a lot of talent atop the depth chart, injury could put UCLA in a tough spot, especially on the outside. Jayon Brown started last year as a safety before moving into his place as Jack's backup, and to say he's unproven at that outside backer position is an understatement. Behind Orjioke, Deon Hollins, with his dynamic first step, is more of a third-down rusher than a three-down linebacker. Behind him, Aaron Wallace, who is likely to rejoin the team in the fall, has never been much more than a replacement-level player.

BOLD PREDICTION

On his way to an All-American season, Myles Jack finishes with 90 tackles, five sacks, and five interceptions, and adds five rushing touchdowns just for good measure. (Yeah, I'm all in on Jack this season.)

PRE-FALL GRADE:

B+/A-. The depth isn't fantastic, but the caliber of starting talent is, depending on how you feel about Orjioke and Savaiinaea stepping in as starters. Jack and Kendricks should carry the unit, though, and that's as good of a foundation as any in the Pac-12 this season. If Whitley can burst onto the season and have a debut even bordering on Jack-like, UCLA could be among the elite at linebacker in the nation.

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